Freerunning
See Bruges from a whole new perspective with freerunner Dominic Di Tommaso
In this amazing video, Australian athlete Dominic Di Tommaso showcases the beautiful city of Bruges like you've never seen it before.
As a tourist, Bruges’ typical canal boats are the perfect way to discover the fabulous city from the inside. Well, they seemed perfect until now. World-class freerunner Dominic Di Tommaso reveals this stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site from a completely different angle in the amazing video below, titled What Tourists Don’t See.
3 min
What tourists don't see
Dominic Di Tommaso gives a tour through the city of Bruges, Belgium unlike anything tourists have ever seen.
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Across the roofs, towers, stepped gables and even the Belfry of Bruges, Di Tommaso invites us on an athletic, jump- and flip-filled journey through the most beautiful spots of the inner city. Always on the move, it's freerunning in its purest form.
“My view from atop the Belfry is something I’ll never forget," says Di Tommaso. “Dangling my feet over the edge at a height of 61 metres, overlooking the entire city. Unforgettable. Getting the chance to be there – I don’t even know if someone ever did this before me – is a moment I'll cherish forever."
Di Tommaso hits the roof
© Aeroplay Films/Red Bull Content Pool
What Tourists Don't See is inspired by Liquid City, the theme of Bruges' current Triennale. Everything moves, with the city as the epicentre of positive urban and social change – precisely what Di Tommaso wants to express. Indeed, being a professional freerunner, moving is his life: a flow in which he continually explores and pushes his limits, both mentally and physically. In doing so, focus is the single most important element. Besides freedom, obviously, with Bruges as the ultimate playground.
“When you jump for kicks, you take risks and make mistakes,” he says. “I have perfect control over everything I do, at any given time. I’ve rehearsed the jumps you see thousands of times. Freerunning is about being aware of what your body can and cannot do”.
Two very different forms of sightseeing
© Thomas Sweertvaegher/Red Bull Content Pool
Two of Bruges' 5.2m annual tourists
© Thomas Sweertvaegher
Beware of pigeons
© Thomas Sweertvaegher/Red Bull Content Pool
For most people, canal boats are the perfect way to see Bruges
© Thomas Sweertvaegher/Red Bull Content Pool
“Dominic shows Bruges in a way nobody ever has. He visits our most beautiful spots, but from different and surprising angles”, says Renaat Landuyt, Mayor of Bruges. “It’s top-flight sports, featuring our façades, towers and canals as its fantastic backdrop. Dominic captures Liquid Bruges – the theme of the current Triennale – perfectly, allowing the whole world to enjoy his athletic prowess. It’s inspirational and makes you want to discover the Triennale and all the other assets of our beautiful city. Although I would advise our visitors to keep their feet firmly on the ground.”
Bridges are for amateurs
© Daniil Lavrovski/Red Bull Content Pool
61m up the Belfry
© Daniil Lavrovski/Red Bull Content Pool
Tourists, not seeing
© Daniil Lavrovski/Red Bull Content Pool
The mayor advises "visitors to keep their feet firmly on the ground”
© Daniil Lavrovski/Red Bull Content Pool
Last year, the inner city of Bruges – a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 – welcomed over 5.2m tourists. These visitors accounted for 1.8m overnight stays, 43,000 carriage rides and 1.1m boat trips on the canals.
What Tourists Don't See was two years in the making and was realised in collaboration with the city of Bruges. Filming the video took three shooting days and involved a crew of 20, as many extras, two drones and three cameras. Di Tommaso wore out two pairs of shoes, exploring 16 locations, running over 23km through the inner city of Bruges and climbing the Belfry to a height of 61m. During filming, a stunt coordinator was permanently on hand to guarantee the safety of both the athlete and the crew.